Though the emphasis at WBC is rightfully on tournaments, our space and days dedicated to Open Gaming continues to expand, along with our Game Library. This year, the 11,771 sq ft Exhibit Hall and 3,774 sq ft Exhibit Annex of the Convention Center are 100% dedicated to Open Gaming, Demos and the Games Library for the entire nine days of WBC. Together, this space is nearly 20% greater than the Open Gaming location at our previous venue. Add to that much improved lighting and newly renovated furnishings and what’s not to like?

LOCATION: The Exhibit Hall is 100% dedicated to Open Gaming, Demos and the WBC Game Library. It is available from Sat., July 21, at 9am, through Sun., July 29, at noon. Open Gaming closes nightly at midnight.

ADMISSION: Please note that use of the Open Gaming Area is identical to WBC admission requirements; i.e., a current WBC badge. Spectators may transit the room free of charge but are not allowed to use any table space to play or watch games in progress. In short, if you are using the room’s resources (tables/chairs), you are required to wear a current WBC badge. This applies to children as well as adults with the exception that toddlers and infants under close adult supervision may accompany their parents free of charge. Children roaming free require a WBC badge. Open Gaming for Juniors without an adult badge is restricted to the Juniors Room in Fox Den.

EXHIBITS: Certain tables in the Exhibit Hall have been set aside for the exclusive use of publishers to show their products. These tables are marked with appropriate signage and are not to be used for other purposes. If you use these tables, you may have to move when the licensed exhibitor requires his space.

DEMONSTRATIONS/PREVIEWS: The first two rows of tables in the Exhibit Annex are reserved for tutorials by GMs for their events and demonstrations by publishers/designers of their new designs. Each such table is marked with an appropriate schedule kiosk. Do not use these tables when scheduled for other uses.

SCHEDULE: So as not to lose track of time, a constantly updated rotating schedule announcing the minutes remaining to the next event starts elsewhere in the Convention Center and adjacent Ski Lodge is projected from the stage behind the library. Attendees in the Open Gaming Area enjoy free use of the expanded BPA Game Library for use throughout the convention until Saturday, July 28, 11 pm. The library signed out more than 1,800 games last year.

OPEN GAMING KIOSKS: The Library also contains Open Gaming Kiosks which you may borrow to aid in finding playing partners. Just set the kiosk on your table with the game box atop it denoting the game for which you seek players. The kiosks are color-coded to aid in your search: red kiosks denote experienced players, yellow kiosks denote they will teach you how to play, and green kiosks seek someone to show them how to play.

RULES:

A current WBC badge must be worn and visible at all times.

Tables abandoned for more than one hour will be cleared and their contents sent to Lost & Found in Stag Pass.

Tables must be vacated if there is no gaming taking place thereon.

No sales solicitations or commercial signage of any kind are allowed except by licensed exhibitors.

OPEN GAMING MONITORS:

Monitors with red caps and special badges will be on duty throughout library hours.

Hourly sweeps will be made to check for tables that are not in proper use. Leaving games unattended for more than an hour - whether setup as a display or piled to “save” the table is improper use. Tables are to be used solely for the purpose of ongoing play.

A “parking ticket” will be issued to any occupied table where ongoing gaming is not taking place. If the offense is still present one hour later, the contents will be sent to Lost & Found in Stag Pass. We assume no responsibility for lost or disorganized pieces that have to be moved for this offense.

GAME LIBRARY:

The WBC Game Library will be available starting on Saturday, July 21 at 7 pm. It will be available daily from 9 am until midnight. The Library will close for packing at 11 pm on Saturday, July 28. NOTE: Although Open Gaming will be available starting at 9 am, Saturday, July 21, the library will not be set up unti 7 pm that day. Thus, anyone who plans to depend on the library for games should NOT plan on attending before 7 pm on July 21 or after 11 pm on July 28.

Library games are available for free check out and play solely in the Exhibit Hall.

Games appear in approximate alphabetical order, with numerical titles such as "1989", coming before the letter “A”. The words “A”," The” or “An” at the beginning of a title are ignored.

Expansions are kept inside or with their parent game.

A system of 8 1/2" x 11" alphabetic signs and clipboards assist in locating and returning games.

When the library is closed, it will be covered by tablecloths. Do not remove tablecloths to return or borrow games.

Please treat our games with care so that we may continue to offer this resource. Ensure that all components are placed in the box appropriately. If pieces are missing, list them. Better yet, give the game to a monitor after you check the game back in and notify them about any missing pieces. Extra Storage baggies for game pieces will be provided at the monitor desk for any games that need pieces organized and stored.

A list of items in the inventory can be found by clicking the Library button or here.

LOANS:

Borrowing a game either for play or inspection of contents is a loan requiring checkout. Loans are limited to one game per person at a time.

Complete one line on the checkout sheet for a game checkout. No abbreviations. Print legibly.

Upon return, note the time and condition of the game in the same line used for the checkout of that game on that same clipboard.

Return games by midnight. If past midnight, please sign game back in and place game behind the monitor desk.

Games may not leave the Exhibit Hall. [EXCEPTION FOR TOURNAMENT GAMES: The tournament GM must inform the monitor on duty that the games are for the tournament. The monitor will record the GM’s name, badge number, and the number of games taken.]

FINAL LIBRARY INVENTORY: The 11 PM return deadline will be strictly enforced on Saturday for inventory and storage of the library. Inventory will start at 11 pm and all checkouts will cease at that time. ALL GAMES MUST BE RETURNED AT 11 pm.